Cross-Curricular Reading Comprehension Worksheets: C-12 of 36
Habitat Destruction
Key
Name: ___________________________________
Cross-Curricular Focus: Life Science
Humans are the leading cause of plants and animals
becoming endangered or extinct. An endangered species
has so few members that the species may die out. Unless
something is done to protect an endangered species, they
will be gone forever. We will not have any more of that kind
of plant or animal on Earth.
The most dangerous thing humans do to endangered
animals is destroy their habitats. This is usually because
we do not pay very close attention. When there is an area of
land we want to use, we don’t notice what is already
living there.
Thousands of acres of tropical forest, or rainforest,
have been destroyed by humans. People wanted the land
and lumber for building projects. Countless plants and
animals have been lost in this one habitat alone. Many
of the organisms that live in the tropical rainforest do not
live anywhere else. We are just beginning to discover
medicines and other resources there. We risk losing
that knowledge if more species die out.
Most of us don’t live near a tropical rainforest. However,
that does not mean we are far away from habitat destruction.
When a town expands, more houses and businesses
are built. The town pushes the local wildlife farther from
its natural habitat. Wetlands and grasslands are unique
habitats that are especially at risk. Thankfully, people are
more aware of the problem. This is the first step toward
protecting habitats.
Answer the following questions based on the reading passage.
Don’t forget to go back to the passage whenever necessary to
find or confirm your answers.
Actual answers may vary.
1) Why are so many plants and animals endangered?
They lose their habitats.
2) What do we risk losing in addition to plants and animals
if we continue to destroy rainforests?
medicines and resources
3) What happens when towns want to expand onto
more land?
Expansion pushes wildlife farther from its habitat.
4) What kinds of habitat are especially at risk?
Wetlands and grasslands
5) How can we help prevent more habitat destruction?
Be aware of of how human actions impact nature.
Copyright ©2012 K12Reader - http://www.k12reader.com
Cross-Curricular Reading Comprehension Worksheets: C-12 of 36
Habitat Destruction
Key
Name: ___________________________________
Cross-Curricular Focus: Life Science
Humans are the leading cause of plants and animals
becoming endangered or extinct. An endangered species
has so few members that the species may die out. Unless
something is done to protect an endangered species, they
will be gone forever. We will not have any more of that kind
of plant or animal on Earth.
The most dangerous thing humans do to endangered
animals is destroy their habitats. This is usually because
we do not pay very close attention. When there is an area of
land we want to use, we don’t notice what is already
living there.
Thousands of acres of tropical forest, or rainforest,
have been destroyed by humans. People wanted the land
and lumber for building projects. Countless plants and
animals have been lost in this one habitat alone. Many
of the organisms that live in the tropical rainforest do not
live anywhere else. We are just beginning to discover
medicines and other resources there. We risk losing
that knowledge if more species die out.
Most of us don’t live near a tropical rainforest. However,
that does not mean we are far away from habitat destruction.
When a town expands, more houses and businesses
are built. The town pushes the local wildlife farther from
its natural habitat. Wetlands and grasslands are unique
habitats that are especially at risk. Thankfully, people are
more aware of the problem. This is the first step toward
protecting habitats.
Answer the following questions based on the reading passage.
Don’t forget to go back to the passage whenever necessary to
find or confirm your answers.
Actual answers may vary.
1) Why are so many plants and animals endangered?
They lose their habitats.
2) What do we risk losing in addition to plants and animals
if we continue to destroy rainforests?
medicines and resources
3) What happens when towns want to expand onto
more land?
Expansion pushes wildlife farther from its habitat.
4) What kinds of habitat are especially at risk?
Wetlands and grasslands
5) How can we help prevent more habitat destruction?
Be aware of of how human actions impact nature.
Copyright ©2012 K12Reader - http://www.k12reader.com